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GOVERNMENT PROUD TO CONTRIBUTE TO SUCCESS OF 11 AND UNDER INITIATIVE

The Government of Saskatchewan is joining with a number of community partners in celebrating the success of the 11 and Under Initiative in Regina. The program is a collaborative effort between the Regina Police Service, schools and a number of community-based organizations. The Ministry of Social Services contributed almost $95,000 in funding for the program in the current fiscal year.

"Our government is committed to working with the community to find ways of supporting our most vulnerable citizens," Social Services Minister June Draude said. "The 11 and Under Initiative is an excellent example of the results that can be achieved when we work together to support at risk young people and their families."

The program works by identifying at risk children aged 11 and under, and connecting those children and their families with appropriate support services in the community. Since it was launched one year ago, the program has worked with approximately 120 children and families in the Regina area, in an effort to prevent those children from engaging in unhealthy behaviour, and potentially criminal behaviour later in life.

"From the government's perspective, investing in this program fits with our approach to child welfare," Draude said. "If we can identify and support at risk children early enough, we can prevent them from being referred to Social Services, or entering the criminal justice system. Instead, we can provide them with an opportunity to learn, grow and be successful."

STEWART ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP

Agriculture Presents Promising Career Choices for Youth

Today Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced the launch of the third annual Saskatchewan Agriculture Student Scholarship.

"I am pleased to announce this scholarship to help encourage our youth to pursue careers in the agriculture industry," Stewart said. "We have a strong, vibrant industry in Saskatchewan with many opportunities, creating a high demand for skilled, dedicated people."

Ten scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to Saskatchewan youth. Students in Grade 12 and recent graduates entering agriculture-related post-secondary studies in 2013 are eligible to apply. Applicants are asked to produce a three-minute creative video or write a well researched 750-word essay describing why agriculture, today more than ever, is a vibrant, diverse industry. Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2013. Winning submissions will be posted on the ministry website in the spring.

"There are an abundance of opportunities for our youth in agriculture, including farming and ranching, research, manufacturing, sales and agronomy, to name just a few," Stewart said. "Having well-trained youth will be critical to the future of our province and help to ensure Saskatchewan continues to be a global leader in agriculture."

WARMAN JOINS SASKATCHEWAN’S FAMILY OF CITIES

Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter joined council, community members and provincial representatives today to celebrate Warman's initiation as Saskatchewan's newest city.

"Warman attaining city status is a great example of how our province is growing and prospering," Premier Brad Wall said. "Like many communities in Saskatchewan, Warman got its start as a railroad community and has a rich history dating back more than 100 years. We are pleased to celebrate its induction as Saskatchewan's newest city."

To receive city status, a community must have a population of 5,000 or more. According to the 2011 census, Warman is home to 7,084 residents and effective October 24, 2012, Warman officially became a city.

"Warman is Saskatchewan's 16th city," Reiter said. "Since 2007, Warman is the third community in the province to become a city. More young people are staying in Saskatchewan and families are calling great communities like Warman home."

The Village of Warman was established on August 3, 1906. The village was disorganized on March 1, 1927, and then re-established as a village 35 years later on January 1, 1962. Warman was incorporated as a town on July 1, 1966, and in May of 2012 the town of Warman made an application for a status change which took effect in conjunction with the October 24 municipal election.

"Warman's finest treasure has always been its people and we are proud of the commitment and dedication they have for the community they love," Mayor Sheryl Spence said.

The community also celebrated the grand opening of the Warman Legends Centre. The recreation complex consists of a hockey arena, two indoor soccer fields and leasable space for recreational programs. The complex is a huge draw for the region and will allow Warman to host many activities throughout the year, contributing to the health and wellness of all residents in the community. Through the Saskatchewan Infrastructure Growth Initiative-Recreation pilot, Warman will receive interest subsidies over five years for an estimated $875,000. The SIGI-Rec program was created to assist municipalities in developing recreational infrastructure to meet the demand associated with growth in the community and surrounding area.

SAFER AND IMPROVED HIGHWAY 11

Section of Federal-Provincial Twinning Project Complete

Highway 11 twinning between Prince Albert and Saskatoon took a big leap forward with 36 kilometres of new northbound lanes opening from north of Rosthern to south of Macdowall, providing a safer drive for families, farmers and shippers.

"Our government is proud to invest in this important work on Highway 11," said Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster, on behalf of Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport). "The twinning of this highway has created good paying jobs in our region as well as improved the safety of motorists in our communities. Our government will continue to focus on job creation and strengthening the economy across Canada, including right here in Saskatchewan."

"Highway 11 is a very busy corridor, carrying upwards of 14,000 vehicles per day including commuters, tourists, shippers and many more," Batoche MLA Delbert Kirsch said on behalf of Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris. "The progress we make at each stage of construction has a huge benefit for all motorists."

A total of 36 kilometres of new northbound lanes are now open to motorists from 5.5 kilometres north of Rosthern to 1.5 kilometres south of Macdowall.

As part of this project, new southbound lanes are also being constructed around Duck Lake to provide safer highway access and improve traffic flow for Highway 11 travellers. Traffic will continue to run on the old highway at Duck Lake until the new southbound lanes are open, within the next two weeks, weather permitting.

Today's opening allows traffic to safely travel this portion of Highway 11 as work continues on the remaining 12 kilometres north and south of Macdowall that will be finished next year. That last section will complete the twinning of Highway 11 from Saskatoon to Prince Albert.

As the new lanes are opened, motorists are reminded to be cautious, alert and aware of signs directing traffic and are advised to slow to 60 kilometres per hour in the construction Orange Zone when passing workers and equipment.

The federal and provincial governments are each contributing up to $62 million to the Highway 11 twinning project.

Federal investment is provided through the Building Canada Fund to support economic growth in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is an important part of this plan. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery, with nearly 770,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. Find out more about the opportunities in the Economic Action Plan 2012 at www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.

SASKATCHEWAN LICENCE PLATES ARE GOING STICKERLESS

Effective November 1, 2012, SGI will no longer be issuing licence plate stickers.

"SGI is committed to streamlining processes for customers and maximizing efficiencies," Minister responsible for SGI Donna Harpauer said. "Eliminating stickers will both save money and make it simpler for customers to renew their plates. Law enforcement no longer relies on licence plate stickers to indicate valid vehicle registration, so the stickers really don't serve a purpose anymore."

Eliminating stickers will result in annual savings of $100,000, which will be redirected to support traffic safety enforcement technology, such as Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) equipment.

"The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police supports this initiative to redirect monies saved by this change in administration," Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police President Chief Troy Hagen said. "By redirecting the associated savings into investments such as ALPRs, public safety will be enhanced."

SGI sends all motorists registration renewal reminders by letter or email and offers registration renewals at any motor licence issuing office, online through MySGI, by mail or phone.

Over the next year customers will receive blank stickers upon renewal to cover existing stickers.

About SGI

Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the province's self-sustaining auto insurance fund. SGI operates 21 claims centres and five salvage centres across Saskatchewan with a head office in Regina. SGI also works with a network of more than 400 motor licence issuers across the province. Customers can now do some transactions online. Look for the MySGI link under Online Services on your motor licence issuer's website or at www.sgi.sk.ca.